On November 3, Meridian Hill Pictures and Magic Labs Media launched a new Facebook-exclusive digital mini-series: THE MESSY TRUTH with Van Jones. Since launching the series, the episodes have had more than 4 million combined views on Van’s Facebook page and received national media attention on CNN.com, The New York Times, Sojourners, and The Huffington Post.
In each of three episodes, Van holds honest, raw, emotional, sometimes painful, yet hopeful conversations with Trump supporters, Clinton supporters and undecided voters in Gettysburg, PA days before the election. Earlier this fall, we decided to create THE MESSY TRUTH out of a frustration that most people during the election were talking about each other, and not to each other. We wanted to break through the noise with a dose of humanity, civility and set new norms for how people can start a healthier way to argue, listen and heal. We wanted to build on the strength of our past collaboration with Van and his wife Jana Carter on City of Trees, fusing our documentary storytelling sensibilities with Van’s unique ability to jumpstart hard, emotional conversations. Almost overnight, the project helped to change the national conversation.
Within days, CNN picked up the episodes and reposted on CNN.com to their 24 million followers. The series was covered on the front page of the Huffington Post: Van Jones Talks to Donald Trump Supporters in Attempt to Avoid 'New Civil War.' The Saturday night before the election on primetime national television: CNN cutaway from the disturbance at a Trump rally to talk about THE MESSY TRUTH. Wedged in-between coverage of violence, CNN used THE MESSY TRUTH to hold a dialogue about the importance of empathy during this election.
On Facebook and Twitter, the series received critical acclaim and endorsements from actors Mark Ruffalo and Ben Stiller, director Judd Apatow, pollster Frank Luntz, musician Raffi.
Respect to @VanJones68 for being so articulate and passionate about what so many are feeling.
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) November 9, 2016
Van Jones….nothing but respect!
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) November 9, 2016
these 3 videos are brilliant. inspiring. thank you! #Election2016 #HillaryClinton #DonaldTrump but i won't repeat your civil war hashtag. https://t.co/eNIFyXgtMw
— Raffi Cavoukian (@Raffi_RC) November 7, 2016
WATCH & SHARE: @VanJones68 enters Trump territory to avoid #NextCivilWar? Prepare to be stunned: https://t.co/NR08e4hveM
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 5, 2016
The episodes also generated thousands of comments and honest, raw and emotional dialogue amongst people of all political persuasions.
THE MESSY TRUTH was created as a completely independent, self-funded effort and co-production between Meridian Hill Pictures and Magic Labs Media, without any corporate sponsors or backers. Magic Labs Media also served as an associate producer on Meridian Hill Pictures’ feature-length documentary CITY OF TREES, providing creative consulting on the story edit; strategic guidance and support on the film's festival, outreach, and distribution plans; expert commentary for press and panels; press and social media strategy.
THE MESSY TRUTH CREW:
Produced by Magic Labs Media and Meridian Hill Pictures
Executive Producers: Van Jones and Jana Carter
Director: Brandon Kramer
Producer: Lance Kramer
Line Producer: Michelle Aguilar
Editors: Ellie Walton, Edwin Martinez, Sara Fusco
Cinematographer: Brett Wiley
Sound Recordist: Andrew Kennedy
Field Producer: Christopher Gorski
Titles: Dan Sharkey
Trailer: Wheelhouse Creative
Associate Producer: Angelica Das
Research & Outreach: Kenya Raymond, Lisa Allen
Production Assistants: Lisa Fierstein, Aisha Jama
